Is Clemens serious about potential return to Astros?

Astros owner Jim Crane on Monday would not rule out the possibility that Roger Clemens could pitch with the Astros this season but said the Astros would not use Clemens against a playoff-contending team.

Clemens, meanwhile, indicated in a text message that the only way he would be interested in pitching in the majors this season would be in a game where he could face a team in the playoff chase.

Crane’s comments came Monday at Minute Maid Park before the Cubs-Astros game. Asked about the possibility that Clemens could pitch this year with the Astros, Crane replied, “That’s still up in the air. We certainly would take a call from Roger.”

However, when asked if Clemens would pitch at home two weeks from now against the Pirates or Cardinals, who are in the National League wild-card chase, Crane replied, “I don’t think we would consider that. I think if we did that, it would not be against a contender.”

Clemens was informed via voice mail of Crane’s comments and replied, via a text message, “If you were going to do it … wouldn’t you want to do it against a contender and knock the contender off?”

After a smile symbol, the message continued, “Nothing’s cooking, but if there was wouldn’t that be the only way to go?”

The comments by the seven-time Cy Young Award winner, who threw Monday’s ceremonial first pitch on Longhorns Night at the Sugar Land Skeeters’ Constellation Field, throw yet another wrinkle into the will-he/won’t-he Clemens saga.

The Astros have games this week against the Cubs and Phillies, who are not in playoff contention. After a trip to St, Louis, their final homestand Sept. 21-26 is against the Pirates and Cardinals.

Clemens, 50, went 11 days between scoreless outings of 31⁄3 innings on Aug. 25 and 42⁄3 innings Friday and said he had “pushed my body and my shoulder” to make the second start.

An appearance this week would give him less than a week’s recovery time, but clearly, based on his text message, his preference to pitch, if he pitches, would be during the final homestand.

Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said he had no news on a potential Clemens appearance but added “I’m not expecting any changes” in the pitching rotation.

“The words that I heard Roger say suggest that (pitching this season) is not front and center in his mind,” Luhnow said. “At this point, I’m not expecting anything.”

Regarding Crane’s comments that Clemens would not pitch against a playoff contender, Luhnow added, “I do believe that maintaining the integrity of the playoffs is always high on our priority list.”

Crane said he has talked with Clemens about working with young pitchers in spring training next year and “extending some work” into the regular season.